Blaine Clausell is starting to come into his own as Mississippi State's left tackle.

The sophomore was forced into a starting role last season due to injury but appears to be settling in as the Bulldogs book end protecting Tyler Russell's blind side.

Clausell started four games at left tackle last fall after James Carmon went down with an injury against Auburn in week two. Those experiences prepared the 6-foot-7, 305-pounder to take over the starting role once Carmon graduated.

"(Starting early last year) helped getting me adjusted to the game speed, what's going on and get my mind thinking a little bit faster once I got in there," Clausell said.

Clausell went on to appear in 11 games as a rookie and recorded 14 pancake blocks including six in MSU's overtime win over Louisiana Tech. This year he has started all five games at left tackle anchoring an offensive line that has only allowed three sacks all season.

"I see a big transformation from where I was at but I still have a long way to go," Clausell said.

But Clausell's strong performances so far have not satisfied him. He believes he can improve beyond where he is at currently.